Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has made a breakthrough in the use of virtual reality (VR) technology, providing immersive learning experiences for staff during equality, diversity and inclusion training.
The Trust partnered with VR company Kiin, previously known as Virtual Bodyworks, to deliver the pilot project. The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with 97% of participants expressing their satisfaction and willingness to recommend the VR training to their colleagues.
Using VR technology to deliver the training allowed staff members to experience situations as different colleagues in a scenario, providing an impossible-to-replicate experience in real life. This enhanced participants' understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and helped them relate to the perspectives of others.
The pilot was funded by Leaders Council members CW+, the charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the Rosetrees Trust and Kusuma Trust, and supported by CW Innovation, a programme that brings together expertise to test, implement and scale high-impact innovations.
‘We are thrilled with the results of this pilot," said Charlie Pearmund, Chief Executive Officer at Kiin. "Our VR technology provides a unique and powerful learning experience that can help organisations like Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to improve their diversity and inclusion efforts. We look forward to working with more NHS organisations in the future to help them create more inclusive and diverse workplaces.’
Harry Sarsah, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at the Trust, also praised the pilot. ‘We are committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive and welcoming to all, and this pilot has shown us the potential of VR technology to help us achieve that goal.’
The successful pilot has led to further funding from NHS England to develop VR Civility and Respect training, which will be piloted at NHS Trusts across North West London in 2023. Kiin and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust believe that this technology can provide valuable and effective learning experiences that can help promote empathy and understanding.
“Innovation will be key to delivering the healthcare service of the future,” said Chris Chaney, Chief Executive of CW+. “This project shows the positive role that VR can play in helping to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients and staff, which can help to break down barriers and improve access to care. We are very proud to have been able to co-fund this pilot through our grants scheme and to offer project support through the CW Innovation programme.”
Photos provided by CW+
